Special Education Paraprofessional

Job Description

Residency Requirements:

• Must reside in Arkansas

K12, a Stride Company, believes in Education for ANY ONE. We provide families an online option for a high-quality, personalized education experience. Students can thrive, find their passion, and learn in an environment that encourages discovery at their own pace. In support of this, we are committed to creating and maintaining a culture of inclusion and diversity where our employees are passionate about serving students and families, treat one another and customers with respect, challenge each other to innovate and always strive to do better.

Passionate Educators are needed at the Stride K12 partner school, Arkansas Virtual Academy (ARVA). We want you to be a part of our talented team!

The mission of Arkansas Virtual Academy (ARVA) is to provide an exemplary individualized and engaging educational experience for students by incorporating school and community/family partnerships coupled with a rigorous curriculum along with a data-driven and student-centered instructional model. Student success will be measured by valid and reliable assessment data, parent and student satisfaction, and continued institutional growth within the academic community. Join us!

A Special Education Paraprofessional Teacher works in schools to support students with special needs and who may require additional assistance. They work closely with the school’s special education teachers, certified teachers, and school administrators to implement instruction and support that meets students’ individualized needs. This role supports students in obtaining the goals and benchmarks written in their Individual Educational Plan (IEP).

This is a full-time position. Ability to work independently, typically 40+ hours per week is required. Ability to maintain a professional home office without distraction during the workday, typically 9-5 (or 8-4) or as defined by the school.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Assist teachers in delivering instruction using differentiated methods that meet the needs and goals of the student’s IEP;
• Work with assistive technology, when needed, to teach regular education curriculum using different methods to better meet student needs;
• Co-teach and collaborate with special education teachers, general education teachers and coaches to share strategies for modifications, accommodations and interventions;
• Coordinate with the Special Education Teacher on special education requirements needed to meet the needs of the students in the regular education inclusion program, their IEP goals and objectives;
• Utilize knowledge of state standards and testing requirements to assess students for mastery and validate student learning;
• Prepare students for standardized tests; Assist with testing for local and state assessments;
• Facilitate regular communication with students, parents, teachers, coaches, staff, administrators and other legitimate stakeholders regarding student performance, progress and academic expectations;
• Work generally to establish and maintain positive relationships with families;
• Track student progress and motivate students using incentives that reinforce individual goals;
• Enter documentation and perform other record-keeping in appropriate systems;
• Work with the Special Education team to maintain compliance with Company and the District’s record-keeping requirements;
• Provide necessary reports;
• Participate in meetings regarding special education students;
• Participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings and professional development (virtual and face-to-face);
• Solve day-to-day problems presented by staff and students;
• Collaborate with the Special Education team and school in developing an effective Special Education program;
• Participate as a member of the Response to Intervention process, if asked to;
• Participate in school committee work to plan assemblies, school events, school-wide incentives, community service opportunities;
• Assist with pre- and post-school duties including club sponsorship; lunch, before, or after school duties, as required;
• Communicate needs to the school leadership team regarding special education students as appropriate;
• Promote a positive school environment by holding students accountable for all school and classroom rules and policies.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:   

• High School Diploma AND
• One (1) year of providing support to students OR
• Equivalent combination of education and experience
• Ability to pass a required background search 

OTHER REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Visio, etc.); Web proficiency 
• Excellent communication and time management skills  
• Ability to travel 20% of the time for meetings, professional development, state testing, etc. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Online School Experience

Compensation & Benefits: Stride, Inc. considers a person’s education, experience, and qualifications, as well as the position’s work location, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value when determining a new employee’s salary level.  Salaries will differ based on these factors, the position’s level and expected contribution, and the employee’s benefits elections.  Offers will typically be in the bottom half of the range. 

• We anticipate the salary range to be $11-$12/hour.  This salary is not guaranteed, as an individual’s compensation can vary based on several factors.  These factors include, but are not limited to, geographic location, experience, training, education, and local market conditions. Stride offers a robust benefits package for eligible employees that can include health benefits, retirement contributions, and paid time off. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• This position is virtual; with the requirement to travel 20% of the time for meetings, professional development, state testing, etc.

Job Type

The above job is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor. All employment is “at-will” as governed by the law of the state where the employee works.  It is further understood that the “at-will” nature of employment is one aspect of employment that cannot be changed except in writing and signed by an authorized officer.

Stride, Inc. is a Federal Contractor, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status age, or genetics, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)